Classic Apple Pie Recipe | Cozy Fall Baking

ByCave Hill Wood Co

There’s just something about the smell of fresh apple pie that instantly makes a house feel like home. The warm cinnamon, the flaky crust, the gooey apples bubbling underneath—it’s comfort in dessert form.

Growing up, apple pie was one of those desserts that brought everyone to the kitchen table a little quicker. Whether it’s for Thanksgiving, a fall family gathering, or just because you’ve got extra apples to use, this recipe is a tried-and-true classic you’ll want to make again and again.

Why You’ll Love This Apple Pie

  • Simple ingredients – no fancy steps, just good old-fashioned pie.
  • Perfect balance – sweet apples with a little tartness, wrapped in a buttery crust.
  • Make-ahead friendly – bake it the day before and let the flavors blend overnight.

Ingredients

For the filling:

  • 6–7 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix)
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the crust:

  • 2 refrigerated pie crusts (or homemade if you’re feeling fancy)
  • 1 egg (for egg wash)
  • 1 tbsp coarse sugar (optional, for sprinkling)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
  2. Prep the apples: Peel, core, and slice the apples into thin slices. Place them in a large mixing bowl. Add sugars, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and vanilla. Toss until the apples are well coated.
  3. Prepare the crust: Roll out one crust into a 9-inch pie dish. Press gently to fit.
  4. Add filling: Pour the apple mixture into the crust, spreading evenly.
  5. Top it off: Place the second crust on top. Trim excess dough and crimp edges to seal. Cut a few slits in the top crust to vent.
  6. Egg wash: Brush the top with beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse sugar.
  7. Bake: Place on the middle rack. Bake 45–55 minutes, until crust is golden and filling is bubbly. (If edges brown too quickly, cover with foil.)
  8. Cool: Let pie cool at least 2 hours before slicing so the filling sets.

Serving Ideas

  • Classic: Warm slice with vanilla ice cream.
  • Cozy: Drizzle with caramel sauce.
  • Breakfast (yes, breakfast): A slice with a cup of coffee. You won’t regret it.

Tips & Tricks

  • Mixing apple types (sweet and tart) makes the best flavor.
  • Always cool before slicing—otherwise it will be runny.
  • To save time, you can freeze the pie before baking and bake straight from frozen (just add 15–20 minutes to the bake time).

From the Cave Hill Crew

We love sharing cozy recipes that go hand-in-hand with the handmade lifestyle we live at Cave Hill Wood Co. While I’m usually wood burning Highland cows or crafting incense, recipes like this apple pie remind me to slow down, gather with family, and enjoy the simple things.